BlackBerry Smartphone Wireless Connections and Their Icons: A Guide to Status Indicators

We all like to stay connected using our BlackBerry® smartphones. Each one of us has our preferred methods; there are those who prefer phone calls and text messages (hi Mom!), those who prefer instant messaging such as BlackBerry® Messenger (BBM™) and Google Talk™ (my two favorites), and those who like social media methods such as Facebook® and Twitter®. One thing all these communication methods have in common is that they require a network connection to work.

Today I’m going to be describing the different wireless connections your BlackBerry smartphone may have and the icons associated with them.

Depending on your model of BlackBerry smartphone, you will have different types of wireless connections available to you. To find out which connections your BlackBerry smartphone has, head over to www.blackberry.com/smartphones and click on your device to learn more.

The first step to making a wireless connection work is for the radio to be enabled. If you are unsure how to do this, I suggest taking a look at the BlackBerry Documentation for your device before continuing.

Also keep in mind is that a wireless connection is just that: a connection to something else, be it another BlackBerry smartphone, a Wi-Fi® hotspot at your local coffee shop, or your wireless service provider’s mobile network.

Mobile Network Connection Icons

The Mobile Network is your connection to your service provider’s wireless mobile network. Voice, text and data services are sent and received through this connection.

The mobile network radio is currently disabled.

Your device’s mobile’s radio is enabled; however, a wireless signal is not available.

The mobile network radio is enabled but only emergency calls can be made from the BlackBerry smartphone. For more information on why you might be seeing SOS on your device, take a look at BlackBerry Knowledge Base Article KB03448.

The connection to the wireless network is enabled and connected. The more bars shown, the stronger the signal you are receiving from the wireless service provider.

Indicates that you are roaming on a mobile network other than your service provider’s. Depending on your service provider, extra charges may apply when roaming on another provider’s network; contact your wireless service provider for more information on roaming.

Wi-Fi Connection Icons

Wi-Fi is used to connect to a local area network at home or a “hotspot” as they are often called in coffee shops or airports. Wi-Fi is the only radio besides a Mobile Network connection that is able to connect to the BlackBerry® Internet Service. If Wi-Fi is turned off, your BlackBerry smartphone will display an icon for this connection on the Home screen.

BlackBerry® 6 and BlackBerry® 7 OS smartphones

Wi-Fi is enabled but you are not connected to a Wi-Fi network OR you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network but you are not able to access the BlackBerry Internet Service.

Wi-Fi is enabled and connected to a local area network or hotspot.

BlackBerry® Device Software 5.0 and earlier

Wi-Fi is enabled but you are not connected to a Wi-Fi network OR you are connected to a Wi-Fi network but you cannot access the BlackBerry Internet Service.

Wi-Fi is enabled and connected to a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Bluetooth Connection Icons

Bluetooth® is a wireless technology used for exchanging data over a short distance; it has also become synonymous with wireless headsets such as the BlackBerry® HS-700 which can be paired to your BlackBerry smartphone for hands-free talking.

Near Field Communication Icons

If your wireless service provider supports Near Field Communication (NFC), you can use NFC to quickly and wirelessly exchange information between your BlackBerry smartphone and other NFC-enabled smartphones, smart accessories and NFC-enabled technology.

Near Field Communication is enabled.

There you have it #TeamBlackBerry! Got a question or comment? Make sure you leave a comment and let us know!

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